Cancer HorizonsAll NewsBlogsCaregivingDiet and ExerciseFinancialPsychosocialRecipesSexual HealthSide EffectSponsoredSurvivorship
All VideosCURE ConnectionsCURE Expert Connections®CURE Speaking OutCURE TVEducated Patient Sound BitesOn Demand: Webinars
Conference Coverage Conference Listing
CURE AdventuresCURE AwardsEducated Patient In Person EducationEducated Patient Virtual Education
Advocacy GroupsArt GalleryClinical Trial CornerHeal®PartnersPodcastsPublicationsShare Your Story
Subscribe
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Blogs
  • Breast Cancer Webinar Series
  • Cancer Horizons
  • Clinical Trial Corner
  • Heal®
  • Publications
  • Videos
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Blog

Article

September 21, 2023

Navigating My Breast Cancer Journey That Came Out of Nowhere

Author(s):

Bola Ogundimu

I had dealt with multiple family members with cancer, but didn't think it would happen to me.

African American hands holding a pink ribbon

To any of my pink sisters and their families out there, please remember that you are never, ever alone. You got this and you will make it through! My advice to anyone newly diagnosed with breast cancer or any cancer is to do the following:

1) Take a deep breath.

2) Let out your emotions (and they could range from crying, shouting, weeping, screaming). That is very much OK and healthy to do.

3) Seek professional mental help from a psychologist, mental health counselor, family counselor, clergy, etc.

4) Don’t be in denial and start meeting with your oncology team (may include your surgical oncology, surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, dietician, social worker and breast cancer navigator) to evaluate options for your treatment plan.

5) The treatment plan may be very brutal. Know that you can take things one step at a time and follow your oncology team’s recommendations.

What I wish people understood about breast cancer diagnosis is that at first it is extremely overwhelming, and it almost feels like being hit by a never-ending and relentless storm of activities and emotions. Every single person I am encountering throughout this journey (from my clinical team, to the grocery store clerks, to my other pink sisters I have met through multiple breast cancer support groups, I say "thank you!”

I started my breast cancer journey in 2021. Prior to that, as a woman of African descent who had spent my last 30 years in the U.S., I had dealt with histories of multiple family members with cancer — including lung cancer, melanoma, endometrial cancer and colorectal cancer.

I had previously worked as an oncology nurse, and nothing prepared me for the reality of facing my own breast cancer diagnosis, surgeries, radiation and hormone treatments. It has been intense, for sure. I am committed to spreading my testimony of the Lord's unwavering faithfulness, His healing power and His covering and staying optimistic and feisty, while continuing to raise awareness about breast cancer and building communities, particularly in disproportionately affected communities.

I have noticed a few differences in side effects (hot flashes and initial grief with the double mastectomy), quality of life (I have overwhelmed with deep gratitude for this journey! It’s weird, but so true) or insurance coverage between the originally prescribed regimen and the new one. My initial treatment plan given the right ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was lumpectomy. That plan quickly changed after my subsequent MRI and biopsies on the left. I decided and was at peace with double mastectomy (my strong preference) and subsequent radiation post-op.

Some of my challenges during this journey have come with needing to come to terms with the diagnosis initially, and once treatment began, it’s been coming to terms with and embracing my new normal every single day at a time. My life changed after finding breastcancer.org because I have found it immensely helpful to read the stories of my other pink sisters and as I noted earlier, it really does take a village. Every pink warrior’s story matters and makes a big difference.

This post was written and submitted by a CURE reader. The article reflects the views the author and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Image of two doctors with text.
Imiage of two doctors with text.
Enhertu with Perjeta nearly doubled progression-free survival versus standard treatment in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, study shows.
Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli discusses the early use of camizestrant with a CDK4/6 inhibitor to target ESR1 mutations, as it may improve outcomes in metastatic breast cancer.
Image of woman.
Picture of Dr. Pouneh Razavi
Image of a woman wearing a headband and glasses
Image of doctor.
Image of woman.
Related Content
Advertisement
Advocacy text.
June 25th 2025

When Cancer Advocacy Becomes a Lifeline

Morgan Newman
Cancer survivor Morgan Newman shares how self-advocacy helped her overcome barriers to care and find the support she needed after treatment.
FDA, Cancer Vaccine Updates and a Misguiding of Breast Cancer Treatment
February 5th 2024

FDA, Cancer Vaccine Updates and a Misguiding of Breast Cancer Treatment

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
One cancer vaccine may still be years away from being available, a breast cancer test may be misguiding treatments for Black women and the review of two oncology regimens are being expedited by the FDA.
My breast implants led to more cancer, heart failure and years of pain: © stock.adobe.com.
June 24th 2025

Why I Regret Choosing Implants After Breast Cancer

Carol Small
If I’d gone flat after my mastectomy, I might be healthy now, but my breast implants led to more cancer, heart failure and years of pain.
Cancer Horizons podcast logo
December 12th 2023

Conference Highlights from SABCS

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
CURE® recently covered the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. In case you missed it, here is some news that came out of the conference that patients should know about.
Laura Yeager is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Catch up on all of Laura's blogs here!
June 24th 2025

What Breast Cancer Taught Me About Saying Yes to the Picture

Laura Yeager
After two bouts of breast cancer and a double mastectomy, I wish I had taken that photo at 34, just for me to remember the body I once had.
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear: © stock.adobe.com.
June 23rd 2025

Faith, Friendship and Finding Purpose After Breast Cancer

Shirley Rakuljic
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear, and in passing on a blessed bracelet, I found healing and an unexpected reconnection.
Related Content
Advertisement
Advocacy text.
June 25th 2025

When Cancer Advocacy Becomes a Lifeline

Morgan Newman
Cancer survivor Morgan Newman shares how self-advocacy helped her overcome barriers to care and find the support she needed after treatment.
FDA, Cancer Vaccine Updates and a Misguiding of Breast Cancer Treatment
February 5th 2024

FDA, Cancer Vaccine Updates and a Misguiding of Breast Cancer Treatment

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
One cancer vaccine may still be years away from being available, a breast cancer test may be misguiding treatments for Black women and the review of two oncology regimens are being expedited by the FDA.
My breast implants led to more cancer, heart failure and years of pain: © stock.adobe.com.
June 24th 2025

Why I Regret Choosing Implants After Breast Cancer

Carol Small
If I’d gone flat after my mastectomy, I might be healthy now, but my breast implants led to more cancer, heart failure and years of pain.
Cancer Horizons podcast logo
December 12th 2023

Conference Highlights from SABCS

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
CURE® recently covered the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. In case you missed it, here is some news that came out of the conference that patients should know about.
Laura Yeager is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Catch up on all of Laura's blogs here!
June 24th 2025

What Breast Cancer Taught Me About Saying Yes to the Picture

Laura Yeager
After two bouts of breast cancer and a double mastectomy, I wish I had taken that photo at 34, just for me to remember the body I once had.
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear: © stock.adobe.com.
June 23rd 2025

Faith, Friendship and Finding Purpose After Breast Cancer

Shirley Rakuljic
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear, and in passing on a blessed bracelet, I found healing and an unexpected reconnection.
About Us
Advertise / Support
Editorial Board
Contact Us
CancerNetwork.com
TargetedOnc.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.